Chris McCandless from Into the Wild and author Jack London both show many connections in their beliefs in transcendentalist ideas. Chris McCandless showed interest in London because many of his quotes and books were found with Chris’ remains and he often talks about him and his ideas. In a quote by Jack London he states “I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.” This is exactly how Chris feels in the novel. He would rather live a short exciting life rather than living by the rules in a dull and boring life. Chris and Jack both want to live their lives to the fullest and use up every moment of doing something interesting rather than wasting time by doing what is expected of them. Both men believe that they would rather die than exist by the rules of society.
Another person who is similar to Chris is Leo Tolstoy. Just like London, Some of Tolstoy’s works were also admired by Chris McCandless. One of Leo Tolstoy’s quotes found with McCandless’ remains states “I wanted movement and not a calm course of existence. I wanted excitement and danger and the chance to sacrifice myself for my love. I felt in myself a superabundance of energy which found no outlet in our quiet life.” This quote compares to some of the emotions Chris was feeling that motivated him to go into the wild. Chris was sick of living an uninteresting, structured life and he wanted to feel the excitement of not knowing what he was going to do next. He found excitement and danger in a more spontaneous lifestyle just like Leo Tolstoy. Both of these men believe that they do not find enjoyment in a more regular controlled life and felt as though they were trapped while living in a regular existence.
Chris McCandless from Into the Wild and author Jack London both show many connections in their beliefs in transcendentalist ideas. Chris McCandless showed interest in London because many of his quotes and books were found with Chris’ remains and he often talks about him and his ideas. In a quote by Jack London he states “I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.” This is exactly how Chris feels in the novel. He would rather live a short exciting life rather than living by the rules in a dull and boring life. Chris and Jack both want to live their lives to the fullest and use up every moment of doing something interesting rather than wasting time by doing what is expected of them. Both men believe that they would rather die than exist by the rules of society.
Another person who is similar to Chris is Leo Tolstoy. Just like London, Some of Tolstoy’s works were also admired by Chris McCandless. One of Leo Tolstoy’s quotes found with McCandless’ remains states “I wanted movement and not a calm course of existence. I wanted excitement and danger and the chance to sacrifice myself for my love. I felt in myself a superabundance of energy which found no outlet in our quiet life.” This quote compares to some of the emotions Chris was feeling that motivated him to go into the wild. Chris was sick of living an uninteresting, structured life and he wanted to feel the excitement of not knowing what he was going to do next. He found excitement and danger in a more spontaneous lifestyle just like Leo Tolstoy. Both of these men believe that they do not find enjoyment in a more regular controlled life and felt as though they were trapped while living in a regular existence.
Stasz, Clarice . "Jack London's Credo." Jack London. N.p., 19/1/1999. Web. 26 Apr 2010. <http://london.sonoma.edu/credo.html>.
"Leo Tolstoy ." Encyclopedia of World Biography . Advameg, Inc, 2010. Web. 29 Apr 2010. <http://www.notablebiographies.com/St-Tr/Tolstoy-Leo.html>.